Last week, Administrative Law Judge Marry Ellen Bittner, ruled that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) should issue a license to Massachusetts plant biologist, Dr. Lyle E. Craker, which would allow him to grow cannabis for research purposes. Judge Bittner stated in her long-awaited 87-page ruling that issuing such a license would be "in the public interest."

We would hope so. DEA and those promoting cannabis prohibition have numerous times declared cannabis to be of limited medicinal value due to a perceived lack of scientific research. Just in the last five years alone, we counted more than 12 studies that reported in the media the possible effectiveness of marijuana in treating such debilitating conditions as:

1. Alzheimer's Disease

Pot May Be Boost To Older Brains / New York Daily News (NY) / October 19, 2006 / "Anti-inflammatory compounds in pot deflect the memory loss associated with the illness Alzheimer's] and could ultimately slow its progression, said psychology Prof. Gary Wenk of Ohio State University." http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1421/a04.html

2. Cancer - Brain Tumors

Report Supressed That Marijuana Components Can Inhibit Cancer Growth / The Coastal Post (CA) / November 1, 2004 / "Clinical research touted by the journal of the American Association for Cancer Research that shows marijuana's components can inhibit the growth of cancerous brain tumors is the latest in a long line of studies demonstrating the drug's potential as an anti-cancer agent." http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1518/a07.html

3. Epilepsy

Cannabis 'Could Help Epileptics' / BBC News (UK Web) / October 4, 2003 / "Further evidence has emerged that an ingredient of cannabis could help prevent epileptic seizures." http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1520/a03.html

4. High Blood Pressure

Israeli Researcher Lowers Blood Pressure With Cannabis Component / Jerusalem Post / June 14, 2006 / "A new method for lowering blood pressure with a compound that synthesizes a cannabis ( hashish or marijuana ) plant component has been developed by a Hebrew University doctoral student in pharmacology." http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n771/a02.html

5. Hepatitis C

Us Ca: Study: Medical Marijuana Can Help People With Hep C / Bay Area Reporter / September 21, 2006 / "Medical marijuana can help people with hepatitis C stay on treatment longer, leading to better outcomes, according to a study published in the October 2006 issue of the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology." http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1262/a01.html

6. Multiple Sclerosis

Study Suggests Marijuana May Ease Ms Symptoms / Sacramento Bee (CA) / November 7, 2003 / "A marijuana pill appeared to relieve some of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis in the first scientifically rigorous study of the strongly debated drug." http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1756/a04.html

7. Nausea - Chemotherapy

One Drug, Two Takes / Los Angeles Times / May 1, 2006 / "For nausea, the panel examined about a dozen studies that looked at THC or marijuana's ability to quell nausea during chemotherapy. For example, in one study, 56 cancer patients who did not respond to other anti-nausea and vomiting drugs were given marijuana. More than one-third rated the plant as moderately or highly effective." http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n546/a05.html

8. Nausea - Morning Sickness

More Pregnancy Highs Than Lows / National Post (Canada) / January 17, 2006 / "Almost all of the B.C. women surveyed at the University of Victoria and University of British Columbia said smoking marijuana helped curb the nausea of pregnancy." http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n076/a05.html

9. Pain - Peripheral Neuropathy (in AIDS)

Smoking Pot Reduces Pain, Study Shows / Washington Post / February 13, 2007 / "AIDS patients suffering from debilitating nerve pain got as much or more relief by smoking marijuana as they would typically get from prescription drugs -- and with fewer side effects -- according to a study conducted under rigorously controlled conditions with government-grown pot." http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n177/a01.html

10. Pain - Post surgical

Cannabis 'Reduces Surgery Pain / BBC News / June 2, 2006 / "A cannabis plant extract provides pain relief for patients after major surgery, research has shown." http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n722/a07.html

11. Psychosis

Cannabis 'Could Reverse Psychosis' / Daily Telegraph (UK) / December 1, 2005 / "AUSTRALIAN researchers believe cannabis, a drug believed to increase the risk of psychosis, may also be able to reverse psychotic behaviour." http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1879/a03.html

12. Schizophrenia

Marijuana Mood Swing / NOW Magazine (CN ON) / September 21, 2006 / "The strongest data out there is that CBD [a component of cannabis], in strong enough doses, controls schizophrenia." http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1879/a03.html

Those who need to persuade policy makers about cannabis' medicinal value should present this list to them. A formatted PDF of it can be found here. Please print and distribute it.

While you're at it, please note the source from which this list is derived. DrugSense (http://www.DrugSense.org) has been archiving articles like these since 1996. Our DrugNews Archive (http://www.mapinc.org/) now contains over 175,000 newspaper, magazine, and Web clippings on all aspects of drug policy, including studies about medical marijuana.

If you find this list useful, why not help the organization that made it possible? DrugSense is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is dedicated to accuracy in the media concerning drug policy topics. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent provided by law.

Donating is quick and easy. Just visit this link: http://www.drugsense.org/donate

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Remember, it's not what others do, it's what we all do together that makes a difference.

Newshawk: DSW - The Original On-Line Drug Policy Weekly
Pubdate: Fri, 2 Mar 2007
Source: DrugSense Weekly (DSW)
Section: Feature Article
Webpage: http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2007/ds07.n489.html#sec6
Website: http://www.drugsense.org/current.htm
Author: Mary Jane Borden
Note: Mary Jane Borden is a writer, artist, and activist in drug policy from Westerville, Ohio. She serves as Business Manager for DrugSense and is President of the Ohio Patient Network.